Renowned Rabbi David Batzri comes up with creative solution for thousands of single women participating in prayer assembly in Jerusalem on 'respectable mating.' Rabbi appeals to women not to put off pregnancy once married, says 'using birth control damages household income'

Kobi Nahshoni |Published: 10.07.09 , 13:20

Have at least 12 children, do not use birth control, and continue having children after 40. This is the formula for overcoming sterility and long-term bachelorhood in the Religious Zionism movement put forth by renowned Rabbi David Batzri.

In a women's assembly in Jerusalem held Thursday in Jerusalem, the rabbi asserted that "a girl who wishes to marry must take upon herself already on the first date an obligation to have no less than 12 children." In addition, he encouraged women to put pressure on one another not to delay pregnancy after getting married and not to wait long in between births.

The rabbi's remarks were reported by Kol Hai radio correspondent Dvora Ginzburg.

Rabbi Batzri, a respected kabbalist and head of Nahar Shalom Yeshiva, participated in a prayer assembly held in the Old City's Jewish Quarter and at the Western Wall together with about one thousand single women searching for "respectable mating." Under the title "Women in Wait," they heard tips for getting themselves out of their distressful situation.

The rabbi claimed that using birth control damages household income. He said, "When you use control methods, you stop abundance. When you see a woman whose youngest child is three, this means that she has been using control methods for three years. Convince her not to do this."

'Don't believe the doctors'

The rabbi also spoke on the issue of abortions. "Doctors are liars," he said. "Don't believe them. They tell you that the fetus is not healthy. This is only to protect themselves from lawsuits. It is forbidden to listen to doctors. Women who have consulted with me and didn't abort their child have the most healthy and righteous children."

Rabbi Batzri added, "Even at the age of 40 and up, it is possible to give birth, and it isn't dangerous."

During the gathering, prayers were held for the participating women. Later, they also heard a lecture from Rebbetzin Yemima Mizrahi, whose lessons and talks have become increasingly popular in recent years.

"When a girl goes on a date, she doesn't come alone, but says to the Holy One, blessed be He, 'Come along! We're going on a date,'" said Mizrahi. She later grumbled that "the only exercise single girls do is moving the mouse on Dosi-Date (a popular religious dating website)."

Mizrahi also claimed that women having a hard time finding a match have issues respecting their parents or tend to respect their fathers more than their mothers.

Mizrahi said she was recently asked during a radio interview what her opinion is on desperate single girls who "do forbidden things." She said the question sorrowed her, and responded, "This is a fringe phenomenon. Most girls are growing stronger, especially after the Gush Katif evacuation."